Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (funded by AFD) - Monitoring and Evaluation of Smallholder Rubber Development Project - 2013

Project Description:

The Smallholder Rubber Development Project continued the Agricultural Diversification Project completed in 2006. It aimed to provide credit and technical support to maintain the planted rubber areas under the previous project in ten provinces situated in the Central highlands and coastal region.

The M&E assignment was undertaken to support the Project Management Committee to monitor the implementation in terms of the effectiveness, efficiency and impacts of the project. This was to be done through the development, operation and maintenance of a comprehensive M&E system which included monitoring indicators reflecting the project achievements, loan performance, cost efficiency, project disbursement, socio-economic impacts and environmental impacts.

In additional, MKE delivered training for the project staff on the application of the M&E system for monitoring the project progress, and evaluating the project efficiency.

CADIF/ DDIF/ AFD - Consultancy services for Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Enhancement Project for CADIF & DDIF - 2013

Project Description:

A Credit Facility provided by French Development Agency (AFD) was on-lent to CADIF and DDIF to support environmental, socio-economic projects, and the reinforcement of the local development funds which were local financing agencies for investments of the two cities. An additional grant was given to the two funds to restructure their procedures and strengthen their capacity.

MKE worked with Sofreco – a French company to provide technical assistance on the institutional strengthening and capacity enhancement, including project management skills, standardising institutional development procedures, and sharing professional expertise on certain key projects. A number of training courses would be conducted for the beneficiaries based on their needs, focusing on enhancing capacity and upgrading internal procedures of the two funds, support towards priority operational areas of the two funds, and mobilization of experts for support in the project’s due diligences, appraisal and execution, especially those of important urban and socio-environmental impacts.

CIDA - Local Consulting services for Monitoring Ha Tinh Agricultural Development & Soc Trang SME Development Project - 2013

Project Description:

The Soc Trang Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Project and the Ha Tinh Agricultural Development Project were being implemented through targeted budget support, and involving the development and strengthening of existing sector policy frameworks, public financial management capacity and existing local accountability frameworks.

MKE assisted CIDA in monitoring and assessing performance against expected results with an aim to mitigate development, environmental and fiduciary risks associated with these projects and complement other Government of Vietnam accountability mechanisms strengthened through the projects’ interventions.

Specifically, MKE helped to monitor the project results, assess the achievements of agreed-upon results and annual priority actions, provide timely technical advisory support to CIDA, monitor the performance of the Project Management Units and other relevant stakeholders as well as monitor the financial management, including procurement to ensure that the projects are being implemented in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contribution arrangement.

FinMark Trust/UNCDF - Making Access to Financial Services Possible (MAP) Study - 2013

Project Description:

MAP was a financial inclusion diagnostic that incorporated a comprehensive analysis of the demand, supply and regulatory environment, in order to identify barriers and opportunities to increase financial inclusion and coordinate stakeholders (government, private sector and donors) in practical actions.

MKE provided local support to MAP study such as: survey questionnaire design, survey sample design, quality control of survey, and literature review of microfinance regulatory landscape, assessment of current microfinance models and providers.

UNDEF - Post Project Evaluation of Civic Education and Civil Society Empowerment in Remote Areas - 2013

Project Description:

In an effort to promote a more vibrant civil society in Myanmar, UNDEF had been providing funding to Myanmar Egress to support its Civic Education and Civil Society Empowerment in Remote Areas Project. These trainings served to strengthen civil society in remote areas by giving participants the basic tools for engaging government.

The post evaluations assessed project impact, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance. This involved a review of not only project operations but also other civil society strengthening models in Myanmar. Research was conducted through interviews with project staff, trainers, and training participants as well as other civil society organizations.

LIFT & UNOPS - Mid-Term Review of the LIFT Delta II and Countrywide Programs - 2013

Project Description:

LIFT commissioned an external Mid Term Review (MTR) of the Delta II and CWP, to assess mid-way the progress made and approach used by the different IPs in each of the two sub-programs and determine whether the IPs are on track to achieve the expected results and impact. Specific attention was to be given in evaluating the impact and efficiency of microfinance and rice intensification initiatives.

In doing so, the goal was to improve LIFT’s programs and make recommendations based on the identification of the best practices and lessons learnt on design and implementation at the level of the beneficiaries, the IPs, the sub-programs and the FMO and recommend how to best integrate those.

InfraCo Asia - Myanmar Infrastructure Scoping and Strategy - 2013

Project Description:

InfraCo required advisors to evaluate scope and plan InfraCo’s potential engagement in Myanmar. The advisory work helped to select sectors where private sector participation is possible and develop a pipeline of projects for investment. It would also help to determine the resources required for InfraCo’s engagement, and helped the Government gain a better sense of how private investments might support the country’s infrastructure needs.

Private Client - Data Points Collection in Yangon - 2013

Project Description:

The client wanted to collect 53 data points (aka economic indicators) across Yangon. Data points included, the price of a litter of petrol, the number of new buildings being built, price of real estate, etc. The data would give the client a general overview of the cost of consumer goods in Yangon as well as a better understanding of the overall economic landscape. The client was considering turning this into a weekly-updated report so they can analyse trends over time.

Private Client - Yangon and Mandalay Market Survey for Four Major Brands - 2013

Project Description:

This study was commissioned to review the opinions and preferences of people in Yangon and Mandalay regarding four products. As such, the survey assessed consumer familiarity and included consumer perceptions about product advertising, accessibility and market ranking as well as company knowledge of the four products.

UNDP Myanmar - Analysis of the Common Fund Performance of the Self Reliance Groups (SRGs) and Community based organizations (CBOs) - 2013

Project Description:

For UNDP development interventions in Myanmar the principal instruments for community engagement and for improving livelihoods are the Self Reliance Groups (SRGs) and Community based organizations (CBOs).

The Internal Assessment Mission (IAM) 2012 recommended a review of the repayment rate by a qualified expert in microfinance so as not to cast doubt on the reported results, but to ensure that the formula is robust and correctly capturing the full performance of the revolving funds. It was in this regard the UNDP through ICDP and CDRT required solid, quantifiable evidence as to the performance of the SRG and CBO common fund over time, including a review of the calculation of the repayment rate and tracking method.